Read Online Exposing ELE (ELE Series #3) by Courtney Nuckels, Rebecca Gober - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Courtney Nuckels, Rebecca Gober
Ads: Link
replies back to me. Claire looks down at her watch. “We only have a few more minutes. It’s probably time to head downstairs.”
I give her a slight nod and stand to my feet. I pick up Sebastian gently in my arms. His little eyes flutter open and he asks for mommy. I purse my lips and shake my head. “Mommy’s gone, baby. Mommy’s gone.” His eyes squeeze shut and his face curls up into me, similar to how I did to Tony last night.
We get to the bottom of the staircase and see everyone gathering in the old ballroom. Someone must have taken the time to tune the grand piano because there is soft music playing. Amazing Grace, I know that one.
Claire must sense my hesitation because she places her hand around my middle. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get through this together.”
I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I enter the room. All eyes turn to me as I walk in. It’s almost too much and I consider walking out, but Claire’s hand remains strong around me, helping me to the front.
I get nauseous as I notice my mother’s handmade coffin positioned just a few feet from me. The lid is down, thankfully. Tony and three other soldiers stand two by two at each side of the coffin, as if to either protect my mom or to stand by her side for the final time.
“Are you okay?” His face looks worried and I can tell he's torn about wanting to be with me at this time. I nod my head gently and take a seat.
My father comes to sit next to me. He looks about as bad as I do, if not worse. He doesn’t smile in my presence; he just squeezes my hand and kisses Sabby’s curls.
Mr. Leroy comes to the front of the room with a Bible and a few notecards in his hand. He places them on a podium and clears his throat.
“I wish I was standing before you under different circumstances. Today we honor the life of one of our most cherished soldiers… Alice Rose Mosby.”
I take a moment to look at the casket before me. Several kinds of delicate flowers line the coffin, giving it a comforting feeling. I look back up to Mr. Leroy as he continues, “Alice was an amazing woman. She had a heart of gold. She was a devoted mother and wife, and a great leader. Today our hearts mourn for the loss of someone so special… our hearts ache.” Mr. Leroy clears his throat. You can see the tears in his eyes and the fact that he is trying to get through this, one moment at a time.
I lay my head on Claire’s shoulder and close my eyes. I could listen to her eulogy, or I could close my eyes and transport myself back to the beautiful memories I hold of my mother. Sabby twitches a little in my arms but falls back to sleep. I think of my mother: her smile, her laugh, her quirky antics. I remember how amazing she was and what a not so good cook she was. Every time she would try to make dinner, she would burn it. One time she used salt instead of sugar in a pie recipe. She was so excited she hadn’t burnt it until we took our first bite. We laughed and teased her about it long after the evening was over. She would never live that down. I replay these memories over and over again in my head, never wanting to forget.
I’m brought back to the present when Claire’s shoulder lifts, making my head go up with it. I glance over at her and she points to the coffin. Mr. Leroy has finished his speech and there is not a dry eye in the crowd. I watch as Mr. Leroy comes and stands by the coffin. “For those of you that desire closure we will be opening the casket one last time before burial. Please allow the family some privacy and then form a line.” Tony and another soldier gently lift the lid, placing it next to the coffin against the wall.
My breath hitches as I see my mother lying lifeless before me. She looks so beautiful. She’s been dressed in a lovely, yet simple, ivory dress. Her hair and makeup are done as well. She holds a bouquet of purple flowers in her hands, which have been placed over her heart. My brain wants to convince me that she’s
I give her a slight nod and stand to my feet. I pick up Sebastian gently in my arms. His little eyes flutter open and he asks for mommy. I purse my lips and shake my head. “Mommy’s gone, baby. Mommy’s gone.” His eyes squeeze shut and his face curls up into me, similar to how I did to Tony last night.
We get to the bottom of the staircase and see everyone gathering in the old ballroom. Someone must have taken the time to tune the grand piano because there is soft music playing. Amazing Grace, I know that one.
Claire must sense my hesitation because she places her hand around my middle. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get through this together.”
I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I enter the room. All eyes turn to me as I walk in. It’s almost too much and I consider walking out, but Claire’s hand remains strong around me, helping me to the front.
I get nauseous as I notice my mother’s handmade coffin positioned just a few feet from me. The lid is down, thankfully. Tony and three other soldiers stand two by two at each side of the coffin, as if to either protect my mom or to stand by her side for the final time.
“Are you okay?” His face looks worried and I can tell he's torn about wanting to be with me at this time. I nod my head gently and take a seat.
My father comes to sit next to me. He looks about as bad as I do, if not worse. He doesn’t smile in my presence; he just squeezes my hand and kisses Sabby’s curls.
Mr. Leroy comes to the front of the room with a Bible and a few notecards in his hand. He places them on a podium and clears his throat.
“I wish I was standing before you under different circumstances. Today we honor the life of one of our most cherished soldiers… Alice Rose Mosby.”
I take a moment to look at the casket before me. Several kinds of delicate flowers line the coffin, giving it a comforting feeling. I look back up to Mr. Leroy as he continues, “Alice was an amazing woman. She had a heart of gold. She was a devoted mother and wife, and a great leader. Today our hearts mourn for the loss of someone so special… our hearts ache.” Mr. Leroy clears his throat. You can see the tears in his eyes and the fact that he is trying to get through this, one moment at a time.
I lay my head on Claire’s shoulder and close my eyes. I could listen to her eulogy, or I could close my eyes and transport myself back to the beautiful memories I hold of my mother. Sabby twitches a little in my arms but falls back to sleep. I think of my mother: her smile, her laugh, her quirky antics. I remember how amazing she was and what a not so good cook she was. Every time she would try to make dinner, she would burn it. One time she used salt instead of sugar in a pie recipe. She was so excited she hadn’t burnt it until we took our first bite. We laughed and teased her about it long after the evening was over. She would never live that down. I replay these memories over and over again in my head, never wanting to forget.
I’m brought back to the present when Claire’s shoulder lifts, making my head go up with it. I glance over at her and she points to the coffin. Mr. Leroy has finished his speech and there is not a dry eye in the crowd. I watch as Mr. Leroy comes and stands by the coffin. “For those of you that desire closure we will be opening the casket one last time before burial. Please allow the family some privacy and then form a line.” Tony and another soldier gently lift the lid, placing it next to the coffin against the wall.
My breath hitches as I see my mother lying lifeless before me. She looks so beautiful. She’s been dressed in a lovely, yet simple, ivory dress. Her hair and makeup are done as well. She holds a bouquet of purple flowers in her hands, which have been placed over her heart. My brain wants to convince me that she’s
Similar Books
